Minnesota : Season's first flu death reported

Minnesota health officials reported on Thursday, Dec. 20, the first death linked to flu during the current influenza season.

The report comes amid widespread influenza activity in the state, according to numbers released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Health.

The new details covers flu cases reported the week of Dec. 9, when the state saw 65 people hospitalized with confirmed cases. The one-week total pushed the tally of people hospitalized this season in the state to 165.

"This has definitely been a big week," said Kris Ehresmann, director of infectious disease epidemiology at the Minnesota Department of Health. "We're (now) seeing activity across the state, and we've seen our first influenza death."

This year's influenza season is off to a quicker and more severe start than during the past two years, according to the Health Department. Influenza season typically stretches from October to April, and the flu seasons that started in 2010 and 2011 were unusually mild.

"In the next couple weeks we'll have a better idea if this is a typical season or will be a more severe season," Ehresmann said.

The Health Department recommends flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older unless medical reasons prevent it. Vaccination is especially important, the Health Department says, for those at high risk for serious flu complications, including pregnant women, seniors, young children and those with chronic medical problems.